A disoriented seagull who was seen wandering around the pitch during Sunday’s All-Ireland football final has been taken into care by wildlife experts, organisers have said.
Images of the seagull went viral online after it landed in the middle of the clash between Galway and Armagh and remained on the pitch for 25 minutes.
The bird appeared to have an injured wing and fans took to social media calling for the bird to be picked up or for the game to be stopped.
Animal welfare group My Lovely Horse Rescue called for an official to retrieve the seagull, saying: “We will send a member of our team to collect it and get the necessary veterinary treatment.”
In an update, the group said: “We have been advised that a wildlife expert is on hand to support.”
Concerned viewers watching the final said it was “shocking” they did not stop the game, saying the seagull “must have been very stressed”.
Another wrote: “Thanks for posting this and offering hello. I’m sure that there’s other kind people working as officials who will do right by the distressed bird.”
A spokesperson for GAA HQ later confirmed a wildlife expert at Croke Park was on-site and dealing with the matter.
On the field, Armagh edged out Galway by 1-11 to 0-13 to claim their second-ever Sam Maguire Cup.